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People complain about power shortage but don’t pay bills: CJ

As the Supreme Court on Thursday sought written reply from the Ministry of Water and Power regarding payments to the independent power producers (IPPs), the chief justice observed that people cry about non-availability of electricity but utilise it illegally and also do not pay bills.

A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry heard the case regarding payments to the IPPs.The counsel for IPPs, Khalid Anwar, said the government admits that the circular debt has surpassed Rs400 billion, and if IPP projects were closed, the loadshedding would increase by three hours and 20 minutes daily.

Khawaja Ahmed Tariq, who was representing the Ministry of Water and Power, said that the IPPs would be paid Rs8 billion on August 30 while more payment would be made in September.

The chief justice remarked that why the court should say something on this matter, it is better that the Economic Coordination Committee is let to look into the matter. Seeking a written reply from the Ministry of Water and Power, the court adjourned the hearing till today (Friday).